Shrouded Sky

Chapter 115 - As Easy As Crushing Dry Leaves

“Yin-Yang” refers to the state before heaven and earth were separated, when primal energy was still undivided. It is the primordial beginning, the ultimate unity. “The Dao is the conduit through which heaven, earth, and all beings are connected, that is Yin-Yang.”

These are records from ancient texts. Yin-Yang is the evolution of the Dao. At the beginning of the cosmos, from nothing to existence, from which all things are born, that is Yin-Yang.

China’s most mysterious ancient classic, the I Ching, already had descriptions of Yin-Yang, stating: “The Yi has Yin-Yang, from which two forms arise...”

Outside the mountains of the State of Wei’s Capital, by a small, sapphire-clear lake, Ye Fan moved from stillness to motion, and from motion to stillness. At one moment, he stood like a steadfast pine; the next, he moved like flowing water. His body stretched slowly, expressing the formless Dao through his tangible flesh.

Ye Fan wasn’t a deity. He couldn’t just invent a body-refining technique out of thin air. He could only explore slowly. When he moved forcefully, he was like thunder; when gentle, like a soft breeze. His movements, a balance of action and stillness, held a certain natural rhythm.

A month passed, and he began to realize how difficult it was. Having ideas alone wasn’t enough, what mattered was whether they could take form.

At this stage, body refinement could only be a supplement. As a mere cultivator at the Celestial Bridge realm, it was impossible for him to quickly create a groundbreaking technique. Everything would have to be explored slowly.

Right now, the true focus was still cultivation through the secret realms of the Oceanic Wheel, Dao Palace, and others. These supreme Daoist methods had been passed down through countless ages, tempered and refined by time, they were truly mature and complete cultivation systems.

“I’ll cultivate my inner self through the Oceanic Wheel, Dao Palace, and other realms, while externally refining my physical body. The two will complement each other. I’ll possess both mystical powers and primal combat strength.” Ye Fan looked forward to growing stronger. “I believe the crystallized wisdom of ancient Chinese sages can clash brilliantly with the supreme Daos of this world.”

Ye Fan had already been in the State of Wei for nearly two months. Apart from cultivating, he had been contemplating how to traverse the void, but had yet to find a good method. He hadn't yet broken through the Oceanic Wheel realm and had limited understanding of Dao runes. He couldn't yet condense the heavenly might required to open a domain gate and cross the void. After much thought, he concluded he could only rely on the great powers.

Within the capital of Wei, the streets bustled with activity and prosperity. By chance, Ye Fan spotted a familiar figure, dressed in Daoist robes and wearing a purple-gold crown, but with none of the solemn air of a monk. He had a bulging belly and a ruddy face. It was the shameless Daoist, Duan De.

“That damned fatty’s life is tough. The demon emperor’s tomb was littered with bones and rivers of blood, and he was driven into the dark tomb by five powerful figures, yet he survived…” Ye Fan found the fat Daoist truly unfathomable. He didn’t approach him, sensing the man was far more dangerous than he appeared.

Now, with his divine sense immensely powerful, Ye Fan could condense his spiritual power into a golden pond that gathered at his brow, forming substance. He followed Duan De from afar without fear of being noticed.

The shameless Daoist climbed a restaurant and began devouring meat and guzzling wine without restraint, nothing like a man of religion.

Half an hour later, he left the capital, drunk and staggering, heading for the mountains.

“The damned fatty eats and drinks his fill, then heads for the mountains, what the hell is he up to?” Ye Fan followed at a distance, feeling uneasy. Even with his refined divine sense, Duan De still gave off an unfathomable vibe.

Duan De moved swiftly, hiking mountain after mountain almost as fast as flying. Soon, he arrived at the gates of a small sect in the State of Wei, one far inferior to Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven.

He twisted and turned deep into the sect. Ye Fan dared not follow in, so he waited quietly outside. A quarter of an hour later, the fat Daoist strolled out red-faced and cheerful, swaggering as he left.

Not long after, chaos erupted within the sect. Shouts and cries rang out, and Ye Fan faintly heard that something precious had been stolen.

“This damned fatty is truly shameless.” Ye Fan took flight at once. Cultivators from the sect scattered in pursuit. If he were caught, there’d be no way to explain.

“Where do you think you're going!” An elder spotted him. “Damn fatty, may your ancestors rot, I bet you set me up on purpose!” Ye Fan’s heart raced, and he vanished into the mountains.

Half an hour later, he caught Duan De’s trail again and suspected the Daoist might already know he was being followed.

But Duan De didn’t even glance back. He hiccupped drunkenly and muttered, “The great gathering of cultivators in Wei... worth a look. Maybe I’ll see some rare treasures.”

“So the damned fatty is headed for some sort of grand event.”

Duan De flew over five hundred miles before descending into a misty mountain region. Peaks were green, valleys lush, and numerous cultivators rode rainbow lights toward a valley.

This was a sect. At the mountain gate stood a stone slab inscribed with the characters "Profound Origin." No one stopped the visitors, people entered freely from all directions.

Inside, elegant peaks, grand halls, waterfalls, and flowing springs created a serene and holy land. Many cultivators were already gathered.

Ye Fan trailed behind Duan De and soon discovered the man’s abnormal behavior, sneaking and weaving until he reached the back mountains of the sect unnoticed.

Ahead, peach blossoms bloomed in a sea of pink, covering the mountains like a rosy veil. The scent was overwhelming.

Duan De stopped, clung to an ancient peach tree, and stared intently, drooling like a pervert.

From a distance, Ye Fan was disgusted by the display. He suspected the fatty had discovered some rare treasure.

“Who goes there?!” A sharp voice rang out just then.

Ye Fan looked again, Duan De had vanished in a blink. Realizing something was off, he tried to escape. But the peach forest around him began to swirl. Blossoms filled the air like crystal rain. He couldn’t find a path out and ended up right where Duan De had stood.

Only now did he see what Duan De had discovered. Amid falling petals, beside the lake, ancient peach trees bore colorful garments. The lake sparkled like a dream. Fragrance wafted through the air, beautiful and almost otherworldly.

But that wasn’t the shocking part.

In the lake, more than a dozen stunning young women were bathing. Their hair was like ink, arms pale as mist, skin glowing like jade. Compared to the falling petals, their beauty was even more dazzling.

“Damned fatty, I swear to the heavens!” Ye Fan cursed silently. He now understood, Duan De had definitely seen this scene and deliberately lured him into the trap. He couldn’t even run, this peach grove had Dao Runes engraved in it, forming a domain that blocked all escape.

Laughter like silver bells echoed. Several women emerged in sheer veils like water lilies, graceful and alluring, their jade limbs exposed, their long legs flawless. The gauzy robes barely concealed their crystal skin. The scene was both seductive and dangerous.

Ye Fan couldn’t escape. He assumed they’d attack, but to his surprise, they didn’t radiate killing intent. They approached calmly and confidently. Any normal man would be overwhelmed.

But Ye Fan was alert. These weren’t ordinary women. No one this daring, bare-shouldered and smiling, could be simple.

“Duan De, you damned Daoist, come out here!” he shouted.

The women giggled again, stepping closer in soaked veils, their bodies glistening. One of them, beautiful and poised, combed her wet black hair and smiled at Ye Fan, voice gentle as a breeze.

“You’re a bold one, sneaking into our sacred ground to peep at our bath…”

“It’s a misunderstanding! I was set up by a damned fatty, he’s trying to frame me. He was the one peeking just now, it had nothing to do with me!” Ye Fan cursed Duan De and his ancestors. That shameless Daoist was ruthless.

All the girls from the lake had come ashore, each wrapped in a single white veil, their curves clearly visible. Skin like ivory, legs long and straight, they moved lightly on their jade feet in a dreamlike scene of falling petals.

The young woman who spoke was stunning, rosy lips, pearl-like teeth, and a red mole on her forehead that gave her a unique allure. She approached Ye Fan, extended a slender finger, and reached for him.

Ye Fan tried to dodge but found he couldn’t, she was faster. His heart sank. She was no ordinary girl. This group was dangerous.

Her delicate finger pinched his cheek gently. “This body is remarkable, your blood energy surges like a great river. You are no common man...”

Ye Fan remained on guard but grinned. “Any normal man would be boiling with lust at a time like this. It’s not my body, it’s your overwhelming charm. Please step back a bit, or I’ll lose years of my life.”

The woman’s body exuded fragrance. She smiled, “Don’t be afraid, we won’t kill you.”

“Satisfied with the quality of this vessel, ladies?” came Duan De’s voice from the grove. He strolled out, red-faced.

“You damned fatty, you set me up!” Ye Fan glared.

“You’ve got some nerve saying I set you up…” Duan De snapped, his emotions flaring. “Three years ago, at the demon emperor’s tomb, you screwed me over. I almost died thanks to you, you little bastard.”

“You fat thief! You stole three of my spiritual weapons back then and now claim I harmed you? You deserve a lightning strike!”

“Three weapons? Worthless! Where’s that hunk of green metal? I nearly died in the tomb, went in and out nine times, and never even saw a scrap of that bronze. You scammed me…” Duan De got angrier by the second.

“Daoist Duan, I’m very pleased with this vessel,” said the young woman, her smile dazzling, her charm irresistible.

“Since you’re satisfied, then give me a drop of the demon emperor’s lingering blood,” said Duan De, eyes flashing strangely. “I trust your demon race keeps its promises.”

Ye Fan was stunned. These weren’t ordinary women, they were demons. And they had the demon emperor’s blood! He thought of the Imperial Demon Heart, feeling powerless. He glared at Duan De.

“You dared to sell me out?”

The Daoist shot him a glance. “Kid, don’t talk to me about betrayal. Three years ago, you betrayed my life. Today, I just betrayed your body.”

“You're ruthless!” Ye Fan really wanted to leave a shoe print on Duan De’s fat face.